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Apollo theatre collapse: investigation begins into why roof caved in Apollo theatre collapse: investigation begins into why roof caved in
(about 4 hours later)
Seven people are being treated for serious injuries following the collapse of a ceiling in a packed West End theatre that wounded almost 70 others.Seven people are being treated for serious injuries following the collapse of a ceiling in a packed West End theatre that wounded almost 70 others.
An investigation is under way into the cause of collapse, which occurred after a heavy rainstorm.An investigation is under way into the cause of collapse, which occurred after a heavy rainstorm.
Witnesses described "chaos and panic" as parts of the Apollo theatre began to crumble 45 minutes into a performance of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. More than 700 people were inside the theatre when members of the audience started screaming as it appeared parts of the ceiling were caving in.Witnesses described "chaos and panic" as parts of the Apollo theatre began to crumble 45 minutes into a performance of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. More than 700 people were inside the theatre when members of the audience started screaming as it appeared parts of the ceiling were caving in.
Masonry and plaster from the Grade II-listed theatre plummeted on to the stalls below, dragging a section of the balcony with it, striking members of the audience and filling the theatre with clouds of thick dust.Masonry and plaster from the Grade II-listed theatre plummeted on to the stalls below, dragging a section of the balcony with it, striking members of the audience and filling the theatre with clouds of thick dust.
Kev Brown, assistant director of operations at the London ambulance service, said: "We had seven patients that were seriously injured out of the 76 that we treated."Kev Brown, assistant director of operations at the London ambulance service, said: "We had seven patients that were seriously injured out of the 76 that we treated."
Those in a serious condition had a range of head, neck and back injuries, he said. None of the injuries were life-threatening, he added. "The vast majority of the patients that we did see had minor injuries," Brown told BBC Radio's Today programme.Those in a serious condition had a range of head, neck and back injuries, he said. None of the injuries were life-threatening, he added. "The vast majority of the patients that we did see had minor injuries," Brown told BBC Radio's Today programme.
Three buses were commandeered to take some of the walking wounded to hospital. A makeshift triage room was set up at the Gielgud theatre.Three buses were commandeered to take some of the walking wounded to hospital. A makeshift triage room was set up at the Gielgud theatre.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the end of an EU summit in Brussels, described it as "an absolutely appalling event".
"I was following the news from the summit last night. The emergency and other services responded brilliantly. I am sure there will be lessons to learn and we must properly examine those lessons," he said.
Structural engineers and health and safety officers have started an investigation. Safety checks will also be made on the other historic theatres in the West End.Structural engineers and health and safety officers have started an investigation. Safety checks will also be made on the other historic theatres in the West End.
Councillor Nicky Atkins said the investigation would take some time. She told the BBC: "District surveyors have attended and declared that the ceiling structure is sound and only plaster fell.We will be doing checks of all historic theatres' consents and licensing today in liaison with the Society of London Theatres, because we want to reassure theatre goers that theatres are safe to attend."Councillor Nicky Atkins said the investigation would take some time. She told the BBC: "District surveyors have attended and declared that the ceiling structure is sound and only plaster fell.We will be doing checks of all historic theatres' consents and licensing today in liaison with the Society of London Theatres, because we want to reassure theatre goers that theatres are safe to attend."
Mhora Samuel, director of the Theatres Trust, the national advisory public body for theatres, said: "Thankfully occurrences of theatre ceiling and plasterwork collapse are extremely rare. The public should be reassured that theatre owners carry out regular plasterwork inspections and maintenance regimes to ensure the safety of their buildings."Mhora Samuel, director of the Theatres Trust, the national advisory public body for theatres, said: "Thankfully occurrences of theatre ceiling and plasterwork collapse are extremely rare. The public should be reassured that theatre owners carry out regular plasterwork inspections and maintenance regimes to ensure the safety of their buildings."
The collapse came after heavy rainfall, hail and lightning strikes. Almost 15% of the average monthly rainfall for one area in December fell during a single hour, according to meteorologists.The collapse came after heavy rainfall, hail and lightning strikes. Almost 15% of the average monthly rainfall for one area in December fell during a single hour, according to meteorologists.
Nimax Theatres, which owns the Apollo, described the incident as "shocking and upsetting".Nimax Theatres, which owns the Apollo, described the incident as "shocking and upsetting".
Audience members spoke of hearing a loud "creaking" which some initially thought was part of the show. One theatre-goer, Khalil Anjarwalla, said he, his heavily pregnant wife and her parents managed to escape from the theatre safely after "kilos of concrete plummeted from the ceiling".Audience members spoke of hearing a loud "creaking" which some initially thought was part of the show. One theatre-goer, Khalil Anjarwalla, said he, his heavily pregnant wife and her parents managed to escape from the theatre safely after "kilos of concrete plummeted from the ceiling".
"I was in the upper circle with my family when, about 45 minutes in, people started shouting and screaming," he said. "Within an instant the whole roof seemed to come down. We saw a lot of people completely covered in dust – I could hardly breathe. We had to get out, calmly. I remember thinking: the cloud, the dust.""I was in the upper circle with my family when, about 45 minutes in, people started shouting and screaming," he said. "Within an instant the whole roof seemed to come down. We saw a lot of people completely covered in dust – I could hardly breathe. We had to get out, calmly. I remember thinking: the cloud, the dust."
Photographs from inside the theatre showed heavy beams and wood strewn across seats, which were coated in debris and dust.Photographs from inside the theatre showed heavy beams and wood strewn across seats, which were coated in debris and dust.
The incident commander Maria Smith, who was one of the first on the scene at around 8.10pm, said: "When I arrived it was dark and extremely dusty and people were lying on the floor of the theatre. We very quickly set up a casualty clearing area in the foyer of the theatre and the walking wounded were assessed and treated there for injuries such as cuts and grazes, breathing problems and head injuries."The incident commander Maria Smith, who was one of the first on the scene at around 8.10pm, said: "When I arrived it was dark and extremely dusty and people were lying on the floor of the theatre. We very quickly set up a casualty clearing area in the foyer of the theatre and the walking wounded were assessed and treated there for injuries such as cuts and grazes, breathing problems and head injuries."
Mark Haddon, who wrote the award-winning book on which the play is based, said: "It's been horrifying sitting here watching what has been happening at the Apollo this evening. I'm hugely relieved that no one has died. I hope that those who were seriously injured are OK. I'm sorry, too, that so many people went through such a terrifying experience."Mark Haddon, who wrote the award-winning book on which the play is based, said: "It's been horrifying sitting here watching what has been happening at the Apollo this evening. I'm hugely relieved that no one has died. I hope that those who were seriously injured are OK. I'm sorry, too, that so many people went through such a terrifying experience."
The prime minister, David Cameron, paid tribute to rescue crews, writing on Twitter: "I've been updated regularly on the Apollo incident. I'm grateful for the fast work of the emergency services in helping the injured."The prime minister, David Cameron, paid tribute to rescue crews, writing on Twitter: "I've been updated regularly on the Apollo incident. I'm grateful for the fast work of the emergency services in helping the injured."
The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Thank you to everyone involved in the emergency operation at the Apollo theatre tonight – incredible response in very difficult conditions."The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Thank you to everyone involved in the emergency operation at the Apollo theatre tonight – incredible response in very difficult conditions."
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